Letters to the editor: 7/18

Probe why city delayed alert for E. coli in water

Something is wrong with the City of Poughkeepsie administration. River cruise-line owners were allowed to use the public dock for a pittance and the city spent monies to build an additional dock. The government voted to spend millions to replace water meters but contemplated laying off hardworking sanitation workers. The playground at the river was moved approximately 12 feet from the river with no fencing, to allow the Poughkeepsie Ice House to use public land for parking.

The administration was aware of E. coli in our water on July 8 but didn't notify the public. On July 10, another positive E. coli test was run. My husband, a patient at Vassar Brothers Medical Center's coronary care unit, called me on Friday to tell me that the hospital was handing out bottled water as the city water was E. coli positive.

I tried getting a response from city offices. I finally called the Fire Department's nonemergency number and was told the notice of water contamination was on the city's website and would be in the Sunday paper. Who looks at the City of Poughkeepsie's website?

The mayor and council should have put out an alert on July 8, not five days later. Hospital patients, nursing home residents, the elderly and those with compromised immune systems were at risk. Our city fathers seem unopposed to spending tax dollars, therefore should have spent a little to hire people to knock on doors and give out notices. This city has no emergency alert system?

Judy VanVoorhis

Poughkeepsie

Kudos to all who made wellness fair a success

For the second year in a row, we were privileged to host a Health and Wellness Fair at Mesier Park in the Village of Wappingers Falls. This free event, which occurred on June 8, was open to the public and was sponsored by village Mayor Matt Alexander, Adams Fairacre Farms, Beacon Dental, Walgreens, Mobile Life Support Services, WellCare, Stop & Shop and Brown Chiropractic Associates.

The fair provided entertainment coupled with health- and wellness-related services and information. A class on digestive health was provided as well as interactive activities such as yoga and Zumba. "Why not the clown" joined in on the fun and entertained the kids while Rick Tota from the 45 RPM Band, a local pharmacist from Walgreens, granted us with live music.

We sponsored a blood drive along with the health fair. Twenty-four pints of blood were collected of which six were first time donors and we are happy to say we helped 72 patients.

Good health is central to living well. Access to experts and information allows us to maintain good health and manage health-related conditions in the most effective manner. It's also an opportunity for local professionals, practitioners and businesses to show support for our effort to promote good health.

I would like to thank everyone, including Innercity Works, the Southern Dutchess NAACP and the Christ Our Lord OverPowers Religious Separation (C.O.L.O.R.S.). Foundation for their role in a successful health fair. Without you and our spectators, this wouldn't have been possible.

I hope see everyone next year.

Francena Amparo

Dutchess County Legislator, District 14

Wappingers Falls

Focus on Spitzer's skills; stop harping on past

There has been much chatter concerning the return of former Gov. Eliot Spitzer to politics, with added discussions of the foibles of other men who returned to politics despite their "sins of the past."

Why must the media dredge up a man's past, repeating it over and over?

Though I was not happy to learn how Spitzer sabotaged his political life, by now he and his family have worked out, resolved, forgiven and probably grown in their marriage, bringing love and commitment to a higher level.

It takes a great deal of courage and renewed faith in self to face the public again. He's had his "dark night of the soul." He will now work doubly hard to do his very best to be a fine public servant.

I used to conduct tours in the homes of former President Franklin D. Roosevelt and his wife, Eleanor. What a great privilege that was. I learned how discreet and respectful the press was about their privacy. I wish the press would return to the standards as they were during the era of the Roosevelts, Harry Truman and Dwight Eisenhower.

Spitzer's obviously a fighter. This man will be a superb comptroller. For God's sake, accentuate his positive qualities; they are excellent. Leave his past in the past! In the name of all that is holy, let's begin to rise above mediocrity and slanderous gossip.

Joyce Benedict

Hyde Park

Student Success Act undermines education

As an active member of this community, I understand the value of a high-quality public education for our children.

The so-called Student Success Act, which will be voted on by the House of Representatives, dismantles 45 years of policy committed to ensuring disadvantaged children are provided with a high-quality education.

This bill undermines our nation's civil rights responsibilities to ensure all children have access to a high-quality education, regardless of their socioeconomic background or where they live.

Amy Frazita

Wappingers Falls

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Letters to the editor: 7/18

Something is wrong with the City of Poughkeepsie administration. River cruise-line owners were allowed to use the public dock for a pittance and the city spent monies to build an additional dock.